APPALLED DEFINITION:An emotionally disturbing shock due to something offensive PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS Flinching or jerking back from the source The lips curling or pulling back in disgust An audible intake of breath A gaping mouth Eyes bulging, followed by rapid blinking Looking away or down while stepping back The eyebrows drawing close together The jaw going slack Slowly yet forcibly expelling all breath as one tries to process what’s happening One’s lips moving as words refuse to immediately form One’s posture straightening, the muscles visibly tightening Clasping a hand over one’s own mouth Grabbing the fabric of one’s shirt in a fist (at chest level) Briefly covering one’s mouth and then moving the hand to one’s breastbone Putting a hand out as if to ward off what one has witnessed or was told Swallowing before speaking AskingWhat?sharply (if the shock resulted from something another said) SayingOh my God, orDid you see what he did?as one tries to process One’s shoulders rolling forward as the chest caves, making the neck seem to shrink Rubbing at the chest Appearing to go white in the face Legs drawing together as one’s stance tightens Rubbing hands against one’s clothing as if trying to rid them of something Backing away; increasing personal distance from the source Turning away and raising the hands to the face Responding with broken sentences as one tries to find the right words Raising a hand to the temple and shaking one’s head One’s voice rising in volume Gesturing wildly as one discusses the situation with others INTERNAL SENSATIONS: The gut tightening as one forces out all breath A dry mouth Light-headedness as one’s breath briefly gets trapped in the lungs One’s palm (or fist) growing hot from a forced exhale A feeling of disorientation A flush of heat in the face and neck as shock transforms into anger MENTAL RESPONSES: Mentally replaying what one has just witnessed or experienced Sharpened focus on and scrutiny of the source One’s thoughts leaping forward to possible repercussions of what one has just learned Not wanting to be touched Feeling a rush of disappointment in those responsible Looking for someone or something to blame A need for answers, to know why, to understand how this outcome came about ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: The eyes growing hot and tearing up Becoming extremely inarticulate or incapable of speaking altogether Going over the moment again and again in one’s mind Berating oneself for not seeing this coming or for misplacing one’s trust Disbelief leading to disillusionment (in others, a specific person, society, etc.) Growing angry and confrontational (fight) Needing to escape because one can’t deal with the situation (flight) SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Eyes that widen slightly Tightness in the face A gaping mouth that is quickly closed The lips pressing into a tight, flat line Rapid swallowing Not speaking to avoid giving away one’s feelings Turning away from the source or avoiding eye contact to try and collect oneself Hesitating or clearing the throat to compose oneself before changing the subject or redirecting attention elsewhere MAY ESCALATE TO:Anger,Disgust,Resentment,Defiant MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Disbelief,Disappointment,Disillusionment ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Back away, balk, blanch, bristle flinch, gape, gasp, horrify offend, rankle, rattle, recoil repel, shake, shock, shrink sicken, snap, squawk, stagger startle, stumble, stutter, swallow taint, unseat, unsettle, wince WRITER’S TIP:Emotions aren’t always pure or beautiful; sometimes characters feel things that will reveal their dark side. Don’t be afraid to show these moments when it’s important to the story. Readers will recognize they come from a place of truth and appreciate the author’s honesty to write them.